Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Massachusetts has the nation's highest rate of residents with health insurance. Visits to emergency rooms are beginning to ease. More residents are getting cancer screenings, and more women are making prenatal doctors' visits.

Six years after Gov. Mitt Romney signed the nation's most ambitious health care law, which laid the groundwork for his presidential opponent's national version, supporters say the Massachusetts law holds promise for the long-term success of President Barack Obama's plan.

Supporters of the Massachusetts experiment are quick to point out its successes. For example, an additional 400,000 individuals have gained insurance since 2006, meaning about 98 percent of residents have coverage.

Still, one of the biggest challenges for the state lies ahead: reining in spiraling costs.